Questions and Answers
Emphysema: prednisone/theophylline/salbutamol. I take 25mg of prednisone every second day. (Oral tablet). = 87 1/2 mg/wk
I started with 50mg Sat; 50mg Sunday. = 100mg/wk. This worked for a while but but by the end of the week I started to develop depression, lethargy, lack of interest in most things so, after experimenting with dosages for a year or so the 25mg every other day, which keeps the depression at bay, was arrived at. I also take Pulmicort 400 as an inhaled powder - 3 puffs am and p.m.
Theophylline
(Uniphyl 600mg tab) once daily at bed time.
Salbutimol (Ventodisc
inhaled powder (400mcg)) 1 puff t.i.d.
My fear is the somewhat high dose of prednisone and its side effects. Some emphysemics have been weened off this drug in favour of the Pulmicort (or similar) inhaled medication but I have the depression to contend with. Could the prednisone be replaced with a mood elevator? Are any of the drugs I am taking in conflict with one another?
Pity about prednisone, it works so well ... Yes, in some patients inhaled corticosteroids can be used for maintenance - yes, your periods of depression can be controlled by specific antidepressant therapy - no, no drug interactions except that your inhaled steroid will add to the anti-inflammatory effect of your oral prednisone.